I can buy a NIB Colt 6920 for $1220. I do not, however, like the round handguard or the front fixed sight (A-2). I could get an after market 4 rail flattop handguard and a Troy BUIS for the front., whatever that would cost. If I could find a 6940 I would be there, I think. Wouldn't those two changes essentially make the 6920 into a 6940. well, maybe a slight difference in the buttstock but both adjust.

I am new at this. I hate to let this 6920 get away in the current environment. I may never see a 6940 or I may find one next week. I don't really have any need for one but just think now is a good time to get one to leave for my grandkids.

The 6940 is a great rifle, but it offers you fewer options for modifications down the road because of the monolithic upper. Me, I like a longer rail; on the 6920 I could easily install a long free-float rail. But on the 6940 I'm stuck with the shorter rail because it's a permanent part of the upper receiver.

The 6940 has several advantages to the 6920: The monolithic rail is simpler and more sturdy and makes it easier to mount a scope using normal rings. It has a great rear flip-up sight made by Maytec (it's a better sight if you're using it as a primary, in my opinion. The Magpul rear sight on the 6920 is better as a back-up). It also comes with a flip-up front sight and is offered in a gas piston system if that's your thing.

But I prefer the 6920 because it's a traditional design with more customization options due to the standard-configuration upper receiver.

I'll second the 6920. While the 6940 is great if you NEED the rails. If one day you decide all those sharp pic rails are no longer tacticool enuff or just plain heavy your SOL. I know one person who sold his because of it and many of my friends have went thru numerous hand guards before they found that 'perfect' one.

6920 in a heartbeat.

__________________E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that.
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WeedWacker posted
Build a lower. Then you can pick any upper you want. You aren't shackled by what manufacturers offer.

I really wouldn't recommend a build for someone who is new to the AR-15. Sure, it's a pretty simple design, but there are a lot of little issues that are difficult to deal with unless you have friends who can give you advice. Also, depending on which parts you're assembling, there will probably be an investment in tools needed. Also, a build is only a good financial decision for someone who wants a custom rifle and knows exactly what they want. Otherwise it's usually cheaper (and definitely easier) to just buy a good factory-made rifle.

I really wouldn't recommend a build for someone who is new to the AR-15.

Assembling a stripped lower is hardly rocket surgery. There are some fantastic Youtube resources detailing the assembly and function check of the finished product. If it still seems too complicated a gun and pawn shop might have a complete lower or a friend who is more mechanically inclined could assemble it for you. If you lived within driving distance of me I'd assemble it for the price of a cup of coffee so long as you were there and I could show you how it goes together. I'm going to help a neighbor new to AR's assemble his lower when he gets it.

Tools needed: black electric tape to protect the finish, a hammer, 1/8 punch, and a flat head screw driver.

Sure, it's not terribly difficult once he figures out how to do it, but what's the advantage over buying a rifle already fully assembled? It's often cheaper to buy a full rifle, it's definitely easier, and you get a full warranty with many companies.

Also, often it's impossible to tell if the finish on the upper and lower will match without seeing them in person. On my latest build my upper is slightly lighter than my lower. I never really noticed it until after I built it. Sometime soon I'm going to completely tear down the upper and have our gunsmith at work help me give it a professional paint job to match the lower. Or maybe I'll just camo the whole rifle. I can't decide.

The main advantage to building a rifle is if you want a custom rifle and you know exactly what you want. Otherwise, I'd recommend he start off with a full rifle with a more traditional design like a 6920 or similar; then he can change things here and there as he gains more experience and he learns what features he likes and doesn't like.

Thanks guys. I bought the Colt LE6920 M4 Carbine today @ Wal-Mart on Brown's Mill Rd. in Johnson City, TN. They have a couple of LE6920 SOCOM for $1,479 and 1 or 2 others. Looks like a quad rail and different folding rear sight on the SOCOM are the only differences from the one I got.

Now I need to do some reading and see what I want to do to it. No present plans. I will just store it in my gun safe in my office file storage room in the bank building for now. Good place to store stuff! I will probably take it to the country or a range just to see how it shoots some day. The grandsons (ages 4 & 6) will inherit it some day. The buttstock is a Rogers Super-stoc.

ETA: Looks like you have all the rail you will need with that tri-rail contraption. All you need now is a flashlight. If you are one who considers ALL options and haven't looked at lights yet, that should keep you occupied for the next three months before you can narrow it down to a few manufacturers.

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